Interpol on Wednesday (Mar 27) revealed the alarming expansion of organised crime rings, which have expanded into a global network, generating up to $3 trillion annually, mainly through human trafficking and cyber scams.

<h2>Diversifying crime</h2>

Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock said these criminal groups, leveraging online anonymity and propelled by new business models, have scaled operations to unprecedented levels, spurred further by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Having originated as a regional menace in Southeast Asia, the horrific crime of human trafficking has evolved into a worldwide crisis, ensnaring millions of victims both within cyber scam centres and as targets, he said.

<h2>Human trafficking</h2>

Stock noted that these cyber scam hubs are often manned by coerced individuals lured by the promise of legitimate employment.

These centres have enabled criminal syndicates to diversify revenue streams away from traditional drug trafficking, although the drug trade still accounts for a significant portion of their income, ranging from 40 per cent to 70 per cent.

"But we see groups clearly diversifying their criminal businesses using drug trafficking routes also for trafficking of human beings, trafficking of arms, intellectual property, stolen products, car theft," he said.

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Stock revealed that illicit proceeds amounting to $2 trillion to $3 trillion annually flow through the global financial system, with individual crime groups raking in up to $50 billion per year.

Last year, the United Nations reported that over 100,000 individuals trafficked into online scam centres in Cambodia. In November 2023, Myanmar also made headlines by extraditing thousands of Chinese telecom fraud suspects to China.&nbsp;

Stock commended Singapore for its effective crackdown on money laundering, citing a notable case from last year when authorities seized assets worth over S$3 billion ($2.23 billion).

(With inputs from agencies)

Interpol on Wednesday (Mar 27) revealed the alarming expansion of organised crime rings, which have expanded into a global network, generating up to $3 trillion annually, mainly through human trafficking and cyber scams.

Interpol on Wednesday (Mar 27) revealed the alarming expansion of organised crime rings, which have expanded into a global network, generating up to $3 trillion annually, mainly through human trafficking and cyber scams. Diversifying crime Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock said these criminal groups, leveraging online anonymity and propelled by new business models, have scaled operations to unprecedented levels, spurred further by the COVID-19 pandemic. Also read | Baltimore bridge collapse: Two bodies recovered; retrieval efforts suspended due to treacherous waters Having originated as a regional menace in Southeast Asia, the horrific crime of human trafficking has evolved into a worldwide crisis, ensnaring millions of victims both within cyber scam centres and as targets, he said. Human trafficking Stock noted that these cyber scam hubs are often manned by coerced individuals lured by the promise of legitimate employment. These centres have enabled criminal syndicates to diversify revenue streams away from traditional drug trafficking, although the drug trade still accounts for a significant portion of their income, ranging from 40 per cent to 70 per cent. "But we see groups clearly diversifying their criminal businesses using drug trafficking routes also for trafficking of human beings, trafficking of arms, intellectual property, stolen products, car theft," he said. Also read | Moscow concert hall attack: Death toll likely higher than reported, with 143 missing Stock revealed that illicit proceeds amounting to $2 trillion to $3 trillion annually flow through the global financial system, with individual crime groups raking in up to $50 billion per year. Last year, the United Nations reported that over 100,000 individuals trafficked into online scam centres in Cambodia. In November 2023, Myanmar also made headlines by extraditing thousands of Chinese telecom fraud suspects to China. Stock commended Singapore for its effective crackdown on money laundering, citing a notable case from last year when authorities seized assets worth over S$3 billion ($2.23 billion). (With inputs from agencies)

Southeast Asia trafficking is expanding into a global crime network worth $3 trillion

Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets Interpol secretary general Jurgen Stock. Watch this video to know more.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets Interpol secretary general Jurgen Stock

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Southeast Asia trafficking is expanding into a global crime network worth $3 trillion

Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets Interpol secretary general Jurgen Stock